San Gorgonio Archives - Total Escape Outside

out back

Leading out the back way of HeartBar, past the horse camp – is a nice one lane dirt road, narrow in spots, with random, primitive camp sites along the roadway. Authorities refer to these spots as yellow post camp sites.

This backcountry route is marked as Forest Service Rd #1N02 – graded dirt road that leads back to Coon Creek Cabin.

Coon Cabin Backside

Southern California forest

San Bernardino maps:

nearby mountain communities:

Forest Falls, late afternoon

Forest Falls is well worth a stop for a quick picnic or hike – and head dunk. Weekends can be busy and crowded. Since this location is close to Southern California and the population centers, expect weekends to be busy in the Big Bear mountains. Plan a trip for week days to experience less people, and more nature.

sangorgonioview — Old Greyback, San Gorgonio Mountain – as seen from forest road #2N93

Southern California /San Gorgonio Wilderness Area / San Gorgonio Mountain Peak Hikes / Backpack Gorgonio

The tallest mountain peak in Southern California towers over the often smoggy basin of the Inland Empire, Riverside & San Bernardino. Coachella Valley lies to the southeast. Joshua Tree National Park lies due east.

Old Greyback is a fitting nickname for the peak. The massive, bald, decomposed granite gravel paves the whole top layer, above treeline (altitude nearing 12,000 feet above sea level) and this impressive peak can be seen from most of the Los Angeles basin and the Palm Springs desert. The expanding view of the Pacific Ocean can be seen 70 miles to the west, but only if the skies are clear. Windy, winter days are excellent conditions for viewing, but plan your hike accordingly as this peak could be covered in deep snow during winter or springtime.

This is a very popular backpacking weekend trip to escape from the big urban populations. San Diegans and Angelinos can easily access this location in a few hours from home, via Interstate 10 and some mountain driving on a 2 lane highway.

94,702 acres

San Gorgonio Peak – 11,503′ elevation

San Bernardino National Forest

Forest & Hiking Maps –

San Gorgonio Topo Maps

San Gorgonio Wilderness Map (USDA)
San Gorgonio Trail Map (Tom Harrison)
San Bernardino National Forest (USDA)

Gorgonio trailheads –

Hwy 38 @ Angeles Oaks
Hwy 38 @ Barton Flats – Jenks Lake
Hwy 38 @ Heartbar – Fish Creek & Mission Springs
Hwy 38 @ Fossil Falls – Momyer & Big Falls
I-10 @ Millard Canyon – East Branch & Middle Branch
Interstate 10 @ Cottonwood Canyon – PCT access

nearby campgrounds –

Heartbar Campground (Hwy 38)

Mission Springs Trailhead Camp

Dry Lake Campground

nearby communities & towns –

ANGELES OAKS
BIG BEAR CITY
BIG BEAR LAKE
FOREST FALLS

California, off the beaten path

Total Escape Outside

Tag Archives: San Gorgonio

Heart Bar Campground

Heart Bar Campground

Big Bear Forest – HEART BAR

Group Campground facilities
Barton Flats – San Gorgonio Recreation Area

out back

This backcountry route is marked as Forest Service Rd #1N02 – graded dirt road that leads back to Coon Creek Cabin.

Southern California forest

San Bernardino maps:

San Gorgonio Wilderness

surrounding wilderness and forest lands –

National Forest & Wilderness Permits –

more San Gorgonio info & links –

California, off the beaten path

Heart Bar Campground

Big Bear Forest – HEART BAR

Group Campground facilities Barton Flats – San Gorgonio Recreation Area

out back

This backcountry route is marked as Forest Service Rd #1N02 – graded dirt road that leads back to Coon Creek Cabin.

Southern California forest

San Bernardino maps:

surrounding wilderness and forest lands –

National Forest & Wilderness Permits –

more San Gorgonio info & links –

California, off the beaten path

Group Campground facilities
Barton Flats – San Gorgonio Recreation Area